PET owners can now avail of health insurance plans for their four-legged friends from Cebu-based Embrace Animal Care Insurance.

The insurance company is rolling out several types of health plans beginning March 18 for pet cats and dogs of any size and breed that will pass the screening process.

The first in the country to offer health insurance for pets, Embrace is banking on the fact that more Filipinos are now willing to spend for their pets' needs.

​In an exclusive interview with MetroPets, Anastacio Muntuerto lll, CEO of Embrace Animal Care Insurance, said he believes pet owners in the country will be excited and willing to insure their pets for their own peace of mind.

“As the first pet care insurance the country, we researched what are the most common illnesses or diseases in dogs and cats, how to prevent those and the costs. To capture the class A to D, we created Bronze, Silver Gold and Platinum plans with payment schemes to make sure these are affordable for every type of client we have,” Muntuerto said.

PET CARE PLANSCats and dogs up to 5 years old can be insured for P20,000 (Bronze plan), P25,000 (Silver plan), P30,000 (Gold plan) and P50,000 (Platinum plan). These prices may still be subject to change.

Bronze and Silver offer basic medical coverage while Gold gives medical coverage for illnesses including cancer as well as accidents and medical emergencies. The Platinum policy is Embrace's most comprehensive pet health care plan.

Embrace has identified at least 50 leading medical conditions each for cats and dogs. Aside from coverage from these conditions, Embrace's health care plans include free grooming and anti-rabies shots once a year.

However, Muntuerto said they will have a different pricing plan for some breeds that are very large or prone to sickness. In addition, premiums would vary based on the age of the pet from 6 years or older.

“Some breeds, especially mix breed, can be sickly so we have categorized every breed with the help of our veterinary team for us to compute the premium cost,” he explained.​“We made sure these plans are affordable for the type of clients we (will) have. We created payments schemes for our clients' convenience,” he added.

Embrace offers its health plans to dogs and cats only. To avail of their policies, Embrace requires the submission of the following:* Pet's microchip record (brand, chip number, date of implant, clinic)* Vaccination record (signed by client's veterinarian)* Medical history record (verified by client's veterinarian* Current anti-rabies certificate (date administered, expiry date, clinic)

“We require our pet clients to be microchipped before they can avail of our plans. This is for their identification and for tracking purposes in case they get stolen or lost. If we are unable to recover our pet clients, it will be classified as accident,” said Muntuerto.

Muntuerto also said that their veterinarians will assess the pets' health conditions by doing laboratory tests so Embrace can offer the best plan possible.

At present, Embrace has accredited only members of Cebu Companion Animal Practitioners Association (CCAPA), but “are still hoping for more invitations from other group of veterinarians to expand our services in the country,” Muntuerto said.

Expanding its operations nationwide, particularly in Metro Manila, is definitely part of the plan. Muntuerto said they are currently looking for partner veterinary hospitals in Luzon and Mindanao.

He explained that their Cebu clients only need to coordinate with accredited veterinary hospitals in the province. In the meantime, for clients outside Cebu, he said Embrace must make special arrangements with veterinary hospitals and clinics to accommodate them.

Aside from pet owners, Embrace is also keen on signing up breeders and importers of pets.

“We can offer them special arrangements so they can offer Embrace pet care to their retail clients. We will make sure it's a win-win situation for us and our partners to earn using our services,” Muntuerto said.

Embrace plans to slowly roll out nationwide its pioneering pet insurance in the next six months.

“We make sure that this product will work to serve pet lovers nationwide. I'm now confident to say that we are ready.”

Im indeed interested to Embrace Animal Care Pets Insurance pets and family too.I want my furbaby 7yr. old male shih tzu named max hes real age almost 50 coz he was born year 2009. I need a full details about this pet care plans.What would be the requirements needed.how about aspins that does not have pcci paper or akcupi or pedigree? Would they be required to have papers? My location is Metro Manila Quezon city area.

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Ylette

4/15/2016 01:40:54 pm

Am interested. Pls call 09177948278

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IAIN DEAKIN

6/14/2016 05:52:19 pm

I am in Makati,can you tell me if your product is available here please

Kindly look up Embrace's Facebook page and leave a message there. We are not part of their operation, We are an online publication that merely featured them when they said they will offer pet insurance. Ty.

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Rachel

6/21/2016 12:07:30 am

Im interested in putting up my own insurance company but not sure how

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jhokins

7/21/2016 11:05:13 am

im interested..pls give more details

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metropets

8/4/2016 01:46:30 pm

Kindly look up Embrace's Facebook page and leave a message there. We are not part of their operation, We are an online publication that merely featured them when they said they will offer pet insurance.

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Nena

7/21/2016 02:51:44 pm

Please send me more information. Thank you.

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MetroPets

7/21/2016 03:17:15 pm

Dear readers,

For those interested in this insurance service, kindly contact directly Embrace Animal Care Insurance. They have a Facebook page. Unfortunately, we have no other data available other than what we have included in this story. Thank you.

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Rose Santos

8/4/2016 12:25:12 pm

My daughter has a pet dog = Jack Russell Terrier. Can you please send send details on how to go about insuring her pet. How much are the premiums like and benefits involved. Thanks.

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metropets

8/4/2016 01:47:26 pm

Please look up Embrace's Facebook page and leave a message there. We are not part of their operation, We are an online publication that merely featured them when they said they will offer pet insurance. Ty.

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alvin villeta

8/12/2016 10:50:56 pm

I have a dog Can you please send details on how to go about insuring my pet.Thanks.
Reply

MetroPets is a pet magazine that featured Embrace Animal Care Insurance when they announced that they would launch a pet insurance plan. Kindly send your inquiry directly to Embrace Animal Care Insurance. Since we wrote about their planned pet Insurance, many have tried to reach them but we have not seen much update about their services in their Facebook account. Maybe you could share with us what you could find out if you do get to reach them. Thank you.

I am interested in buying your insurance for cats and dogs.
I would like to know more about your insurance plans and the price scheme and the qualifications or requirements for my pets to qualify.
Please reply as soon as possible.

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Kitten Valderrama

10/5/2016 02:11:09 am

How is it that mix breeds are more prone to sickness when pure breeds are known to have more health issues due to inbreeding? Thank you.

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Priti

1/13/2017 02:31:22 pm

I am interested in insurance.. please contact-09957515094

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bench

1/25/2017 06:36:56 pm

I am interested in insurance please contact my no. 09261505856

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Mickey

3/30/2017 08:36:28 am

Im interested. Please contact me at 09771902564. Thanks! :)

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Hydee

6/13/2017 10:43:23 pm

Hi im interested i had 2 babies age mar 14 2014 and may 7 2015 . Hope to received response with details . Thanks